17
votes
Searching entry-level linux laptop recommendation
Hey there!
I'm planning on going full linux again (last time was 5-6 years ago). The only problem is: i've lost track of the community and especially what hardware is currently best to run, especially tech that was really giving me headaches back then (GPU - remember the omega drivers?).
But searching for linux compatible laptops without purchasing a machine from some dedicated vendor is quite hard.
Any recommendations?
I would recommend any of the Thinkpad X-series. Some of their hardware is older but their general compatibility is great. I'm pretty sure their other 'business' lines are well-supported too, but I'm not 100% sure. Have a look at: http://www.thinkwiki.org/wiki/ThinkWiki for tons of information.
They are also pretty cheap to pick up secondhand.
I thought that the track point and the trackpads have some problems with compatibility?
Which models do you think have compatibility problems? I've not seen anything on mine (x1, x230 and others).
X15C uses multiple variants of trackpoint. Only one works.
I've been running a thinkpad X240 for the last year and have been very happy with it. (I disabled the trackpad and exclusively the trackpoint).
I'm now also use another thinkpad (T-series, I forget which exact model) and have had zero issues. USB-C also works without any issues.
I should.ve been more clear; the X1 Carbon had trackpoint compatibility issues with Linux - I for some reason forgot about about the existence of X2x0 models.
I'll just reply here as I hopped on my work laptop this morning and update with the model...
Thinkpad P51s, no problems!
I'm using an x1 carbon, which works for me without any problems (except the fingerprint reader). It's a bit expensive for the hardware you get, but in my case work paid for it.
Otherwise any of the other thinkpads will probably be okay for you.
Those Carbons are so sexy. We got a few at work and I am so jealous sitting here with my X260
Thank you! I've also been recommend the T440S, any experience with this device?
I have the T440s. It's great. I got it refurbished for about $400, bought some extra ram and an extended battery, and I've had no issue running Linux Mint. I will admit the screen resolution doesn't hold up to the super sharp screens you see on some modern laptops, but it's perfectly fine in my opinion. All in all I definitely support the recommendation for the T440s.
So the ram is easily replaceable? that's nice since the refurbished models jump ~150€ just for 8GB - 12 GB RAM. The RAM module itself should be cheaper.
The most difficult part of putting in the new RAM was getting the case open, but that's mostly because I don't have any of the right tools, so if you have some kind of pry tool you should be fine.
I also have a T440s that I bought a few years ago. I think I added a few upgrades like the double battery and the better screen. I love it. The keyboard is amazing. It's a good size. I've had no problems with it. The one exception is the trackpad is horrible. Like, borderline unusable. I always carry around a USB mouse in my bag, and I prefer a mouse anyways, so it's not a big deal for me.
I originally was running Windows on it, but about a year ago it started to get super slow and I got pissed off when it kept deciding to update right before an important meeting. I was wanting to try linux anyways so I installed Ubuntu (dual boot) and it's like a brand new laptop. I can't remember the last time I logged into the Windows partition.
I have 0 issues with it. It works out of the box (with Funtoo). It does what it's supposed to do, dragging my finger over it moves the mouse cursor, pressing it with 1 finger is a single click, with 2 fingers is a right click, with 3 fingers is a middle click. Scrolling by dragging 2 fingers over it.
Im thinking about using Debian (again) because that's the thing i was most into "back in the days".
Do you think there might any issues with Debian on the Thinkpad?
I don't think so. I've used a kernel compiled with the Debian configuration (these are great as backup kernels in case of emergency), and everything I tested worked perfectly. Not tested are the mini DP output, the LAN port and the SD card reader.
Okay. the RJ45 and MiniDP would be highly important for me, but i expect no issues.
I'd recommend a used Thinkpad with an intel (integrated graphics) gpu. With Linux, there's virtually no configuration at all, and even a years old X220 will beat the crap out of a lot of $300 or $400 laptops in terms of build quality, and it won't fall behind in performance either. Put a cheap SSD in there, maybe max out the RAM, and it will fly along excellently.
I can't remember what the prices are like off the top of my head, but I believe there's System76 if you want a preconfigured machine with compatible hardware.
TY I've been looking into them as well but they are most likely too expensive for entry-level
From what I remember, the System76 laptops are very well supported, but about twice the price the specs are actually worth. It's been years since I last checked, so maybe this is no longer the case.
TY. Im in germany though, so no 4th july sales for me :((
If you're living in the UK, check pcspecialist you can get a custom laptop and don't have to pay for a windows license so you get nicer hardware. Got my laptop from them about 3 years ago and it's working perfectly - no issues. Delivery took a little long if I recall correctly but that's a minor detail for a big purchase I think.
Holy cow, I was thinking that in about a year I'll have to change my laptop but was already dreading that time as I'll have to look for the classic big brands (I use it for gaming as well) and their ridiculous prices but these guys have good hardware for a reasonable price!
Such a good surprise! Thank you!
Some of the stuff on there looks super nice, thanks for the recommendation! How are you finding the situation with the Nvidia GPU (I assume they only do Nvidia GPUs based on the laptops I looked at) and Linux? Another commenter mentioned that they often don't work well together.
Not fucking Nvidia.
Rest is up to you.
That's actually some great advice here! Thank you! There are multiple thinkpads (im going to follow the advice given here in tildes) with dedicated GPUs, some have AMD, some have nvidia.
I will avoid nvidia then. Would you mind explaining a bit more in-depth why not nvidia?
Nvidia doesn't really cooperate with the open source Nouveau project; Nouveau basically has to reverse engineer in order to get the open source driver working. Consequently it's sub-par compared to AMD/Intel.
Care to explain?
See my reply to flow. https://tildes.net/~comp/2bf/searching_entry_level_linux_laptop_recommendation#comment-qat
It'd be much more positive for discussion if you were to explain it as such in the first place. I agree with your points after explanation, even though nouveau has worked great for me.
Because nouveau actually has worked great for me, I wouldn't tell someone looking for an entry level to just not get something altogether (and using "fuck" for the edge factor). But explaining it like this informs people what is actually wrong with it, and doesn't give up a vibe of someone just trying to be edgy on the Internet.
Yeah, I was half exaggerating for effect. Sorry.
If you can afford it and you're more security minded, you might be interested in a Purism laptop
The cheapest machine on that site is 1.2k, it's pre-order, and has a very weak CPU for the price-point. I fully respect what Purism are trying to achieve, but this is not a good suggestion for OP who specifically requested 'entry-level'.
Ahh good point, my brain skipped past the entry level part. It's a shame they charge so much as I think they would be a lot more popular if they were affordable.
Creating uncompromisingly secure/libre hardware has been shown time and again to be expensive. Hopefully one day I'll be the proud owner of a fully open RISC-V machine, but I can't see that happening for a while yet.
Thank you! I also took a look at https://system76.com/ and like their approach, especially since they disable Intel ME. However, their devices are a bit too fast too test-drive Linux as a full-time for a (massivley stripped down) macOS.
The last time i worked full-time on Linux was around the time of when Suse was still sexy (and openSuse didnt exist) and the first Knoppix release was made.
So yeah....
What do you think of the Thinkpad X240?
@tyil @jgb @silbern @piedpiper